In hopes of resuscitating its baseball program, Penquis High School has hired Murrell Harris to coach the Patriots this season.

Penquis athletic director Tony Hamlin made the announcement Tuesday.

Harris, who runs the Milo recreation department, coached the Patriot team for about 10 seasons as recently as five years ago. He also served for a number of years as the school’s athletic director.

Harris has coached youth baseball in Milo, Hamlin added.

Hamlin said he had to talk Harris into taking over the team, but Harris will bring enthusiasm to the program.

“He communicates well and he’s very enthusiastic,” Hamlin said. “He’s eager to try to turn the program around. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge.”

The baseball season starts March 18, when eight pitchers and two catchers can report for practice.

Harris replaces Carl Wilson, who resigned last spring. The Patriots were 1-16 last year.

New Englands information

The Maine Principals’ Association recently released information about New England competition for winter sports.

The 15th New England Interscholastic Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field Championship meet will be held Friday, March 1, at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Roxbury, Mass. Athletes are selected based on state championship results. The Class A and B individual champions in each event are invited first, followed by the four next-best finishes for six entrants overall. Six relay teams are also invited to compete.

Pole vault and triple jump are not events and the 300-meter, 600 and 1000 races replace Maine’s 200, 400, and 800 races.

The 38th New England wrestling competition will be held March 1-2 at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. The champions of Classes A, B and C in each weight class will be invited to represent the state.

The New England gymnastics competition is scheduled for March 9 at Salem High School in Salem, N.H. Six girls in each event, including the all-around, will be invited based on scores from the Feb. 16 state championships. Maine will send seniors, followed by the best scorer in each event until the field is complete.

For more information visit the MPA Web site, www.mpa.cc, and look under the Late Breaking News page or the winter bulletins and forms on the Interscholastic page.